LOCAL PHARMACY SERVICES

That this House is aware that a petition containing over two million signatures, representing approximately 3,500 citizens in every parliamentary constituency in the UK and supported by a wide array of patient groups, was recently handed into 10 Downing Street concerning proposed cuts to local pharmacy services; notes that the petition urged the Government to rethink its deeply unpopular strategy; and believes that the Prime Minister should reassess this matter and instruct her Ministers at the Department of Health to sit down with community pharmacy representatives to find ways forward to ensure that patients do not lose the advice, care and support which local pharmacies provide and instead help deliver improvements which will relieve pressure on general practices which will relieve pressure on general practices and other parts of the health care system for the good of all involved, especially those who rely upon their local services.